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Jinggoy, Marcoleta are 'political prisoners', says Alan Peter Cayetano

Philippines | National

Jinggoy, Marcoleta are 'political prisoners', says Alan Peter Cayetano

By Dhel Nazario

For Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, detained Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are "political prisoners".

(Santi San Juan/MB file photo)

(Santi San Juan/MB file photo)

Cayetano had this to say during a Facebook livestream on Saturday, July 18, when one of his viewers asked whether there was a chance Marcoleta would be freed.

"I have faith po," Cayetano responded.

According to Merriam-Webster, a political prisoner is defined as "a person put in prison because of his or her political beliefs".

Marcoleta is detained for plunder charges related to undeclared campaign contributions, while Estrada is facing plunder and graft charges linked to the P573 million flood-control corruption scandal.

"I consider Sen. Jinggoy, Sen. Marcoleta, former congressman Mike Defensor, they are political prisoners," Cayetano said in his Facebook live.

"Kinulong sila dahil hindi sa kaso kundi sa konsensya nila. Wine-weaponize ang DOJ, ang Office of the Ombudsman, not for justice (They were imprisoned not because of the case, but because of their conscience. The DOJ and the Office of the Ombudsman were weaponized, not for justice)," he added.

He said that he will talk more about it after President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.

Related Tags

Jinggoy Estrada Rodante Marcoleta Alan Peter Cayetano

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